Wright State Theatre to close out 2024–25 season with bittersweet musical ‘Alice by Heart’

Wright State Theatre will close out its 2024–25 season with the fantastical musical “Alice by Heart” from March 20 to 30 in the Festival Playhouse. (Photos by Erin Pence)

Wright State University Theatre will transport audiences to the fantastical depths of Wonderland as it presents the bittersweet coming-of-age musical “Alice by Heart” from March 20 to 30 in the Festival Playhouse in the Creative Arts Center.

Set during the London Blitz of 1941, “Alice by Heart” follows Alice Spencer, a young girl seeking refuge from the horrors of war. Alongside her ailing best friend Alfred, she escapes into a whimsical fantasy world inspired by “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” As reality blurs with fantasy, Alice confronts love, loss and the power of imagination, set to a beautiful folk-rock score.

The production is directed and choreographed by Greg Hellems, head of musical theatre at Wright State, with music direction by Wade Russo, instructor of musical theatre.

The musical, Hellems said, is a story about the innocence of youth lost too soon and the transformative power of imagination in the face of adversity.

“Alice’s journey speaks to the universal experience of confronting grief and the deep human need for us to create spaces for empathy and belonging in times of crisis,” he said. “Imagination is a tool of resistance, and the stories we tell each other are the threads that bind us together against the forces that seek to divide us.”

On the stage, “Alice by Heart” features Cate Lightbody as Alice Spencer, Alice; Aidan Fracker as Alfred Hallam, White Rabbit, March Hare; Grace Goodwin as Red Cross Nurse, Queen of Hearts; Juno Brosas as Tabatha, Cheshire Cat; James Robert Newton as Dr. Butridge, King of Hearts, Jabberwock; Eli Peel as Angus, Caterpillar; Toby Hattemer as Harold Pudding, Mad Hatter; Dominic Cullen as Dodgy, Duchess; Sophia Stiles as Clarissa, Queen of Diamonds; and Eoin Collins as Nigel, Dormouse.

The ensemble includes Sylvia Bordelois, Enoch Graham, Miranda Morrissette, Gavin O’Meara, Sarah Rowell, Jackson Church and Evette Williamson.

Costume design is by George Sarofeen; lighting design by senior Zach Wuest; set design by Matthew Benjamin, professor of theatre; and sound design by James Dunlap, resident sound designer. Claire Northcutt, a senior musical theatre major, is the assistant director, and Ellie Sassano, a sophomore musical theatre major, is the assistant choreographer.

Performances are: